Bhubaneswar, June 14: The Children’s Film Society, India, and state culture department will present screen treats for kids at all districts from July onwards. Earlier the screenings were held on selected Saturdays in the capital and a few districts.
The screenings of national and international award winning children’s films started last year in June. Initially, two Saturdays every week were chosen to screen the films at Rabindra Mandap here. However, it was stopped in December because of the exam season.
Apart from Bhubaneswar, different cities and towns in seven districts of the state were also included in the programme.
But the remaining 23 districts have now been added to the list and the screenings will be hosted on the first and third Saturdays every month.
“We want as many children as possible to watch these films that will have an impact on them. At the same time, we also want their teachers to come along so that they too get to understand children’s psychology,” said Ashok Tripathy, secretary of state culture department.
Whether it is about finding one rupee coins in the pocket of a discarded coat every time one slides a hand in it or absconding from home and taking an adventurous trip to grandparents’ village, children across the state will now experience the different facets of adolescence once every month.
Celebrated children’s films such as Karamati Coat, Main Phir Aaunga, Baaja, Rhino, Heda Hoda, Ek Ajooba, Amulyam, Sunshine Berry and the Disco Lights, Choo Lenge Aakash and many more will be screened at the events.
While entry is free for the event, schoolchildren will be distributed sweets, colourful balloons and water bottles by the organising department. “Children may contact their respective school principals or ask their parents to get in touch with the district culture officers to know about the venue and schedule of the screenings,” said an official.
Schoolchildren are delighted to get back into the world of innocence and adventures on the silver screen.
“I wish they had started the screenings last month since it was vacation time. Nevertheless, we will find time on Saturdays to watch these amazing films that we have heard about from our seniors,” said Nishitha Pradhan, a Class VIII student of Bhubaneswar and a regular viewer at the screenings.